This 253.8-mile drive from Windsor to Youngstown, Ohio, is designed for efficient travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71 and I-76, with a brief section on US-68, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $39, it's an economical choice for exploring more of the Midwest. The drive is focused on covering ground, so if you're looking for a leisurely, scenic journey, this might not be the best fit, but it gets you where you need to go without fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.9 miles from Windsor, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 253.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this 253.8-mile journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-71, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 156.8 miles, before transitioning to I-76 and US-68. This profile suggests a consistent pace with minimal distractions, ideal for making good time. The character of the drive is largely about efficient transit across Ohio, rather than winding through charming backroads. Be prepared for a steady, highway-centric feel for most of the 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 156.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.3 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 253.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 79.3 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
81 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
182.4 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
182.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
7
202.6 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Windsor, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Akron.
Wheeling
79.3 mi in|~1h 40m|via I 71
Akron
182.4 mi in|~3h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
156.8 mi
2h 51m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
US 68
11.1 mi
18m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
Xenia Avenue
4.6 mi
7m
Cherry Street
4.1 mi
6m
I 80
4 mi
4m
SR 28
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 156.8 mi, about 2h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on CR 24
0.9 mi·2 min·Morrow-Woodville Road
2
Turn left onto SR 28
3.2 mi·5 min·SR 28
3
Turn right onto SR 28
0.1 mi·11 sec·South Columbus Street
4
Continue on SR 28
4.1 mi·6 min·Cherry Street
5
Turn left onto US 68
11 mi·18 min·US 68
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 68
4.6 mi·7 min·Xenia Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
8
Merge onto I 71
55 mi·1 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
22
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
24
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 58 minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 253.8 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where services are readily available on I-71. The highway-centric nature means you can maintain a good pace, but always be mindful of the longest stretch of 156.8 miles on I-71 – ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is a helpful budget point, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for unexpected needs.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126.9 miles from Windsor, OH, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 56 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Windsor, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Windsor, OH
This is one driving day of about 253.8 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Windsor, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 156.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.9 mi from Windsor, OH
· 2h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 126.9 miles from Windsor, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.8 miles.
Arriving in Youngstown, OH
The final approach into Youngstown, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Youngstown, OH.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 210
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.39 one way
$78.78 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$43.72
$87.43
premium
$4.91
$49.05
$98.10
diesel
$5.61
$56.04
$112.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.65
$12.18
Efficient EV
63.5
0
$22.21
$10.15
EV Truck/SUV
101.5
1
$35.53
$16.24
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Windsor, OH
Late night
in Windsor on Saturday
Local time
12:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Late night
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
12:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
127 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Windsor, OH to Youngstown, OH covers 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, US 68. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.9 miles from Windsor, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 253.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 79.3 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Windsor, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Akron.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
